The Abbey Gardens
Probably my absolute favourite part of Bury, the Abbey Gardens are a wonderful area for a shortish walk, a picnic, or a play on the swings. There are toilet facilities with great baby changing, complete with a comfy chair in one of the two rooms! Plenty of room to get a buggy in and easy access both from town and from within gardens. In the summer and in school holidays there is a little kiosk style cafe near the aviaries which serves great tea, coffee, ice creams and cakes and even little baby snack pots of fruit! The aviaries themselves are always a must visit with a toddler, and although not huge, house a good variety of interesting native and more exotic birds. Maybe steer clear if you have a sleeping baby though as the parrots are noisy!!
The playground has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and is nestled down by the river. It has two swings for younger children, a small slide and a little roundabout of ride on motorbikes. For older kids there are big swings and a larger slide. There is a big basket swing which my little one liked really early on as she could lie down in it but it’s probably designed for bigger kids. There is a large sand play area, complete with a water pump and some toys. I would say that the playground is always very busy in the school holidays and at weekend, but it is great during the week.
My personal favourite aspect of the gardens is the ducks!! I have been feeding them here for nearly thirty years and I still love it. There is almost never a time where you won’t see someone surrounded by ducks and pigeons and the odd squirrel clamouring over some stale bread…The squirrels are remarkably tame and will come and take food from you, so watch tiny fingers.
There are numerous paths you can take through the ruins, some are paved so are easier with a buggy. There is a lovely little walled rose garden behind the cathedral which has benches in. For a slightly longer walk you can head over the river and towards the woods. The “circular” walk is not suitable for a buggy as you will get to steps at around the half way point, but it’s a lovely walk nonetheless.
http://www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/leisure-and-tourism/parks/abbey-gardens.cfm
The playground has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and is nestled down by the river. It has two swings for younger children, a small slide and a little roundabout of ride on motorbikes. For older kids there are big swings and a larger slide. There is a big basket swing which my little one liked really early on as she could lie down in it but it’s probably designed for bigger kids. There is a large sand play area, complete with a water pump and some toys. I would say that the playground is always very busy in the school holidays and at weekend, but it is great during the week.
My personal favourite aspect of the gardens is the ducks!! I have been feeding them here for nearly thirty years and I still love it. There is almost never a time where you won’t see someone surrounded by ducks and pigeons and the odd squirrel clamouring over some stale bread…The squirrels are remarkably tame and will come and take food from you, so watch tiny fingers.
There are numerous paths you can take through the ruins, some are paved so are easier with a buggy. There is a lovely little walled rose garden behind the cathedral which has benches in. For a slightly longer walk you can head over the river and towards the woods. The “circular” walk is not suitable for a buggy as you will get to steps at around the half way point, but it’s a lovely walk nonetheless.
http://www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/leisure-and-tourism/parks/abbey-gardens.cfm
|
|
